The Effects of Feed and Water Withdrawal and Holding Shed Treatments on Broiler Yield Parameters

Abstract

Eight trials were conducted using broiler chickens between 52 to 58 days of age to study the effect of 10, 15, and 20 hr of feed and water withdrawal periods and five environmental holding shed treatments [open shed, air-conditioning (A/C), fanning and fogging (FF), fanning (F), and evaporative cooling (E/C)] on broiler yield parameters. Twelve birds of each sex were used for each withdrawal and shed combination making a total of 120 birds per trial. Live weight shrinkage increased with increasing length of withdrawal and male birds showed the highest weight loss. Dressed and chilled carcass weights, eviscerated yield, and chilled carcass yield based on farm weight decreased significantly with each increase in withdrawal period. The A/C, FF, F, and E/C sheds significantly reduced live shrinkage and improved broiler yields when compared with the open shed treatment. Preslaughter treatments did not influence carcass moisture uptake during chilling.